A Prophecy Unfulfilled

[Duo]

Long had the regiment languised without word from Gorimdor, it was time to take matters into their own hands.


It began with a simple sacrifice.

The men had gathered infront of the Keep, resplendent in the green and black of Kaldor. Beside them, a man in the remnants of what was once a Royal Guards garb. He stood, as proud as he could in his defeated state - His arms and legs shackled, and his face bruised and blooded.
He knew his fate.

The trip was short by horse. The footsoldier; Caitir, had the Guard tied over her horse as they rode through Ilshenar and toward the volcano.
Bar a few restless imps the trip was uneventful.
The volcano itself was restless, lava poured down the sides as ash and smoke billowed skyward from the peak.
The horses were tied to the nearby trees as the men continued on foot to the cave beneath the volcano.

A strong smell of sulphur swept up from the narrow staircase within as the men descended into the depths of the volcano. An eerie elemental light pierced the darkness as they reached the lair within, flames flickered in the distance and pained screams could be heard.

The elementals were busy.

As the men approached the main chamber their presence was finally noticed, the elementals however did not attack. They simply watched as the Kaldorians marched through the chamber double file and onward to the pit of molten lava at the far end.


It was quick in the end.

The shackled prisoner put up no defence as Commander Duo's blade ripped open his chest piece.

"We condemn this heretic in your name, Raza.
May he burn in the abyss for eternity!"

A great thunderous roar bellowed throughout the chamber as lava and rock erupted from the pit before them.

"Chaos, Death, Blood and Fire!"

The words echoed from the gaping void of teeth and blood before them.

"Long have these lands seen peace.
Long have these lands bickered among themselves.
Long have they forgotten the might of Raza!"

The veteran warriors of Kaldor stood firm as the great dragon lowered its head toward them.

"Long have I been awaiting your return..."

Duo grinned to himself, sheathing his weapon and stepping forward to meet the dragon. The line of Kaldorians following suit a pase behind.

The dragon studied the line of Kaldorians as he spoke once more.

"Do you believe yourself worthy of Raza?"

Duo looked down the line, taking note of each individual warrior beside him before turning back to the dragon.

"I do."

A hideous grin spread across the dragons face as he nodded in response.

"The prophecy must be fulfilled.
You must purge this land of taint and weakness, for the coming of the City of Steel draws near.

Only in the annihilation of the heretics shall Armageddon be raised.
The false virtues must be destroyed, and all those blinded by their lies shall burn for eternity.

And only then shall he come forth, and the City of Steel be born."

The dragon reached up out of the lava, giant vice-like talons holding an ashen, broken piece of metal.

"Glory.

You must reforge the great weapon of Tasker.

Recover the lost pieces from the grasp of Xathos, for it was he who took it.
His cult has spread far and wide across this world.
It must be destroyed."

Duo looked to Glory and nodded.

"It will be done.
In Raza's name these lands will know no peace.
The cult of Xathos will know no mercy, nor shall the followers of virtue."

The dragon placed Glory before the Kaldorians; the once glorious, flaming weapon of Tasker now reduced to a broken piece of disfigured metal.

"He is coming.

In Fire, Steel and Blood.
He is coming.

The faithful will be rewarded.
And the fallen will be redeemed.

Let the vengeance of Raza be known once more!

These are the words of Vher'oloch.

Sol Sil Eth."

Duo raised his weapon as the line of Kaldorians responded.

"Sol Lat Eth!"

The pit of lava before them erupted, molten rock and ash spilled out around the Kaldorians and into the chamber as Vher'oloch returned to the firey depths of the Volcano from whence he came.

It was time to leave.